The Buenos Aires Underground, or Subte, is the rapid transit system of Buenos Aires, Argentina. It opened in 1913, making it the first underground railway in Latin America, the Southern Hemisphere, and the Spanish-speaking world, as well as the 13th oldest metro network worldwide. Today, it is the only metro system in Argentina, with six underground lines, a linked tramway-style Premetro service, and connections to commuter rail and bus corridors across the city.
| Key | Information |
|---|---|
| Local name | Subterráneo de Buenos Aires, commonly called the Subte |
| Opened | 1913 |
| Lines | 6 underground lines: A, B, C, D, E, and H |
| Network length | 56.7 km (35.2 miles) |
| Underground stations | 90 |
| Premetro | 7.4 km (4.6 miles), 18 stations in total |
| Operator | Emova Movilidad S.A. since December 2021 |
| Special feature | Trains run on the left |
Buenos Aires Underground Map
Map of Buenos Aires Underground showing different lines and stations. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Buenos Aires Underground map in PDF format.
Buenos Aires Underground Lines ans Stations
The Buenos Aires Underground system has six metro lines: A, B, C, D, E, and H. Together, these routes cover 56.7 km (35.2 miles) and serve 90 stations. For anyone checking the stations map or planning a route, the network is compact enough to understand quickly, especially in the city center where several lines meet.
The wider system also includes the Premetro, a 7.4 km (4.6 miles) surface tramway, plus a close link with the Urquiza suburban line. Line A was the first to open in 1913, while Line H is the newest, dating from 2007.
Main underground lines
| Station | Details |
|---|---|
| Line A | Plaza de Mayo to San Pedrito |
| Line B | Leandro N. Alem to Juan Manuel de Rosas |
| Line C | Constitución to Retiro |
| Line D | Catedral to Congreso de Tucumán |
| Line E | Retiro to Plaza de los Virreyes |
| Line H | Facultad de Derecho to Hospitales |
Other parts of the network
Premetro line P is a surface tramway that feeds Line E and works as part of the wider Subte system. It opened in 1987.
The network also has four ghost stations: Pasco Sur and Alberti Norte on Line A, and San José vieja and Constitución on Line E.
Stations and service pattern
Many lines converge in central Buenos Aires, so the main transfer stations matter a lot when building a route plan or checking a stations list. Trains run on the left, a legacy of the period when Argentina drove on the left.
The Underground links with commuter rail and bus services and carries more than a million passengers a day.
| Station | Details |
|---|---|
| Line A | Plaza de Mayo – San Pedrito, 18 stations |
| Line B | Leandro N. Alem – Juan Manuel de Rosas, 17 stations |
| Line C | Constitución – Retiro, 9 stations |
| Line D | Catedral – Congreso de Tucumán, 16 stations |
| Line E | Retiro – Plaza de los Virreyes, 18 stations |
| Line H | Facultad de Derecho – Hospitales, 12 stations |
Schedule, Timetable, and Calendar
The Buenos Aires Underground does not run 24 hours. Operating hours, opening times, and closing time vary by line, so it is worth checking the timetable before you travel. Running time also differs from one route to another.
| Service detail | Timings |
|---|---|
| Line A | Running time 26 minutes; Monday to Saturday 5:00 to 22:28; Sundays and public holidays 8:00 to 22:08 |
| Line B | Running time 27 minutes; Monday to Saturday 5:00 to 22:21; Sundays and holidays 8:00 to 22:00 |
| Line C | Running time 13 minutes; Monday to Saturday 5:00 to 22:45; Sundays and holidays 8:00 to 22:21 |
| Line D | Running time 26 minutes; Monday to Saturday 5:00 to 22:24; Sundays and holidays 8:00 to 22:00 |
| Line E | Running time 24 minutes; Monday to Saturday 5:00 to 22:27; Sundays and holidays 8:00 to 22:03 |
| Line H | Running time 18 minutes; Monday to Saturday 5:00 to 23:21; Sundays and holidays 8:00 to 22:48 |
In general, the opening hours are around 5:00 to 23:00, depending on the line and the day. Frequency is usually about every 3 to 4 minutes on most lines, while Line H runs less often, at around every 6 minutes.
For schedule today, timings today, or the last train on a specific route, line-by-line information is more useful than a single network-wide answer. The Subte can get very crowded at peak commuter times, so checking the train schedule before leaving helps.
Prices, Cards, and Passes
To use the Buenos Aires Underground and most other public transport in the city, you need a rechargeable SUBE card. It works on buses, the subway, and trains, and cash is not accepted by drivers.
You can buy the card at Subte stations, train stations, Tourist Assistance Centers, many kiosks, and some airports. Obelisco station is often mentioned as a useful place to try when supply is limited.
You can top up the card at subway stations, lottery outlets, and kiosks with automated terminals. Some places sell the card but do not add credit, so you may need to recharge it elsewhere. Recharge is also possible at ticket offices by placing the card on the reader and adding the amount you want.
Since January 2025, subway rides can also be paid with a credit card. This payment method applies to the Underground only, not to buses. You tap once at entry, and the fare is charged to your account at the end of the day.
A subway ride usually costs about USD 0.80, while one source gives an average ticket price of about USD 0.50 per ride. Another notes that daily public transport cost in Buenos Aires may be around USD 2.50 per day. Local currency figures were not provided in the source material.
If you are looking for a fare calculator, day pass, or another travel pass option, the source material only confirms the SUBE card and bank card payment for subway rides. It does not provide a dedicated fare calculator or day pass details.
If you are arriving at Ezeiza International Airport, having some Argentine pesos in cash can still help, especially if you need to buy and load a SUBE card right away.
Interconnections with Other Systems
The Buenos Aires Underground is an important part of city transport and local transport across the capital. It connects with commuter rail, bus rapid transit, and the Premetro tramway, so it plays a central role in public transport and transportation in Buenos Aires.
Several stations connect directly with major rail and bus corridors. Line C links Constitución and Retiro rail terminals. Line B reaches Federico Lacroze, where you can transfer to the Urquiza Line. The system also connects with the Sarmiento Railway, and Line H links with Line D at Santa Fe.
The Premetro was originally planned as a feeder tramway network for the Underground, with intended links to Lines E, C, and D, though only Line E2 was built. Today, some of that role has been taken over by Metrobus.
In practice, the Subte works as the backbone of a broader public transport system that includes rail, bus, Metrobus, and tramway-style service. These interchanges make it easier to move across the city, even though demand remains high.
Accessing the Airport
The Buenos Aires Underground does not have a direct path train or metro connection to Ministro Pistarini International Airport, better known as Ezeiza International Airport.
One practical option is Metrobus Bus 8, which runs from the airport to Plaza de Mayo, the nearest metro connection mentioned in the source material. The bus stop is at arrivals terminal B, about 90 m (0.06 miles) away.
You will need a SUBE card to pay the bus fare. The trip from the airport to Plaza de Mayo takes about two hours.
Taxis and private cars are other options. Once at Plaza de Mayo, you can connect to Line A of the Underground.
Tips and Rules
The Subte is usually easier to understand than the city bus network, but a few simple rules make the trip smoother and safer.
Plan your route first
Check the stations map online or in an app before you travel. If you would rather not use your phone in public, look for maps outside the station or on the walls inside.
Choose the correct entrance
Some entrances lead to both platforms, while others serve only one direction. Look for signs reading trenes a followed by the final station. If you enter on the wrong side, you may not be able to recover your fare.
At exits, signs may say salida unicamente. Those are exit-only points, so you may need to cross the street to find the right entrance.
Use a SUBE card
The SUBE card is used on the Subte, buses, and trains throughout Buenos Aires. You can buy and top it up at subway stations, kiosks, train stations, lottery shops, and some airports. In some places, the card may be sold without credit.
To pay, tap the card on the reader at the turnstile and wait for the beep. If you do not have a SUBE card, the subway also accepts credit or debit cards, though some foreign cards may not work.
Board with care
Some lines are crowded, especially at rush hour. On busier services, you may need to move quickly to get on or off. Where possible, let passengers leave first, then step inside and move away from the door.
If you need to pass through the carriage, permiso or ¿bajas? can help.
Mind your seat and belongings
Priority seats are for elderly passengers, pregnant women, and children. If you are standing, hold a rail or handhold. Keep bags in front of you, stay alert near doors and windows, and carry valuables discreetly.
Make connections carefully
When changing lines, follow signs that say Combinación con la línea plus the line you want. At busy interchange stations, check the direction as well as the line.
Know how to get off and leave
On most lines, only connected stations are announced over the speakers, so keep an eye on your stop. On busy trains, move toward the exit before the train stops and say permiso as you go.
When leaving the station, you do not need to show your ticket again. Follow the salida signs and remember that exits are labeled by the streets above.
Be prepared for vendors and performers
Vendors may walk through the carriage selling tissues, gum, or tourist items. If you want something, pay when they return. If not, just hand it back. Musicians and other performers are also common.
General safety tips
Keep a close eye on your belongings, avoid easy-access pockets, and use phones and cameras discreetly. On crowded platforms and trains, move with the flow and do not linger near the doors.
In summer, the cars can feel hot and packed. A little patience goes a long way.
Parking near the Metro
If you are driving to the metro, Garage Triunvirato is one station parking option to know. It is a multi-storey parking area at 4188 Avenida Triunvirato in Comuna 15.
The garage is close to Echeverría station on Line B, around 110 m (0.07 miles) northwest, and also near Los Incas – Parque Chas station, around 590 m (0.37 miles) southeast. Teatro 25 de Mayo is another nearby landmark, about 430 m (0.27 miles) northwest.
The area also includes Parque Chas and Villa Ortúzar, and the garage is near BIGG Urquiza and Academia de Danzas Karina Roldán.
- Type: Parking area
- Parking: multi-storey
- Address: 4188 Avenida Triunvirato, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, 1431
- Location: Comuna 15, Buenos Aires, Argentina
The source material does not provide parking charges, parking charges per day, or price information for this facility.
Future Extensions
The Buenos Aires Underground has several proposed expansion plans, but progress has been limited. Since 2019, no new stations have been under construction, and both the Law 670 and PETERS plans remain incomplete.
The main idea behind these proposals is to reshape the system with more north-south routes, reduce dependence on Plaza de Mayo, and move termini farther from the city center.
Under Law 670, three new lines were outlined:
- Line F: Barracas to Plaza Italia in Palermo, with 16 new stations over 10.8 km (6.7 miles)
- Line G: Retiro to Caballito/Villa Crespo, with 15 new stations over 12.5 km (7.8 miles)
- Line I: Parque Chacabuco to Ciudad Universitaria, with 18 new stations over 12.6 km (7.8 miles), though its future is uncertain
The PETERS plan, presented in 2015, offered a different route plan. In that version, Line I was cancelled, Line G was rerouted through the city center to Constitución railway station, and Line E was extended from Retiro to Plaza Italia. It also proposed a Retiro Norte node and extensions of Line C to the north and south.
For now, these projects still depend on political approval. In practice, the focus remains on modernization rather than major network growth.
Fun Facts
The Buenos Aires Underground opened in 1913, making it the 13th subway system in the world and the first in Latin America, the Southern Hemisphere, and the Spanish-speaking world.
One of its most distinctive features is that trains run on the left. That unusual setup dates back to the time when Argentina drove on the left.
The system is also known for its artistic side. Many stations feature murals and historic decorative elements, giving parts of the network the feel of a museum.
- There are four ghost stations on the network, two on Line A and two on Line E.
- Line B was the first line in Buenos Aires to have turnstiles and moving stairways.
- The rolling stock on Line B includes former Tokyo Metro and former Madrid Metro trains.
- Line H is the newest line, and several of its stations include tango-themed mural reproductions.
The Underground also appeared in popular culture, including the 1996 science-fiction film Moebius.
History
The history of the Buenos Aires Underground begins in the late 19th century, when growing traffic and the expanding tramway network pushed the city toward mass transit solutions. Early proposals appeared in the 1880s and 1890s, and the idea gained momentum again after plans for the Congress building in its present location.
The first section opened on 1 December 1913 between Plaza de Mayo and Plaza Miserere. It was built by the Anglo-Argentine Tramways Company, and 220,000 passengers used it on the first day of public service. The line was then extended to Río de Janeiro in April 1914 and to Primera Junta in July 1914.
Expansion continued in the following decades. Line B opened in 1930 from Federico Lacroze to Callao, then reached Leandro N. Alem by 1931. Line C opened in 1934, Line D in 1937, and Line E in 1944. World War II slowed further growth.
The network was centralized and nationalized in 1939. In 1963, it became the property of Subterráneos de Buenos Aires. Although some growth continued later, the pace was much slower, and several feeder or expansion projects were never completed.
In 1995, operations moved to a concession model under Metrovías, while the network and rolling stock remained property of the City of Buenos Aires. In December 2021, Emova Movilidad S.A. took over the concession for 12 years.
Modernization and expansion resumed in more recent decades. Lines A and B were extended westward, and Line H opened in 2007 as the first completely new line since Line E, not counting the Premetro. Stations, signaling, infrastructure, and rolling stock were also upgraded.
Even so, the system remains crowded, and no new construction has been under way since 2019.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1913 | The first section of the Subte opened between Plaza de Mayo and Plaza Miserere. |
| 1930 | Line B opened. |
| 1939 | The network was nationalized. |
| 1963 | The Underground became the property of Subterráneos de Buenos Aires. |
| 1995 | Metrovías took over operations under a concession model. |
| 2007 | Line H opened. |
| 2021 | Emova Movilidad S.A. took over the concession. |
Nearby Attractions
One of the most interesting things around the Buenos Aires Underground is the art inside the system itself. The Subte is not just transport; it is also a kind of moving gallery, with 450 artistic interventions by 200 artists across its stations.
Different lines highlight different themes. Line A includes works linked to Argentina’s native peoples, immigration, and Porteño tradition, with notable pieces at Lima station. Line B features art inspired by pre-Columbian culture, tango, and city history, including stations such as Parque Chas / De los Incas and Carlos Gardel. Line D includes murals, abstract works, and a tribute to Lionel Messi at José Hernández. Line E focuses on historic events and Argentine landscapes, while Line H mixes tango references with a station dedicated to sexual diversity and LGBT rights.
Above ground, Buenos Aires offers many major attractions near the transport network, including Teatro Colón, La Recoleta Cemetery, Casa Rosada, Palacio Barolo, and the neighborhoods of La Boca, San Telmo, Palermo, and Recoleta.
For visitors, the Subte is an easy starting point for exploring the city. You can combine metro trips with walking tours, tango shows, hop-on hop-off buses, and visits to historic districts and landmarks.